Surname Pommeroy - Meaning and Origin

Pommeroy: What does the surname Pommeroy mean?

The surname Pommeroy is believed to be of French origin, stemming from the name of a place in Normandy, France. The name itself appears to have been derived from the Old French terms, "pomme" meaning "apple" and "roi" meaning "king". Therefore, it likely refers to an apple orchard or an area known for its apples.

It was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest in 1066, when many French nobles were given lands in England. The de la Pomeroy or Pomeroy family established themselves in Devon, where they became influential landowners. It was first recorded as De Pomerai in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Over the years, the name evolved and was Anglicized to its current forms, "Pomeroy" or "Pommeroy". It was also possible for the name to morph into other variations such as Pomroy or Pomerai based on the specific regions and dialects.

As with most surnames rooted in geographical origin, it implies that the initial bearers of the Pommeroy surname were either dwellers or landlords of the referenced locations.

Pommeroy: Where does the name Pommeroy come from?

The last name Pommeroy is a name with origins from the Normandy region of France. It is believed to have been brought to Britain during the Norman invasion and anglicized to Pomeroy. This old last name is still quite common in parts of Britain today, particularly in the county of Devon where it has become quite popular.

The name can also be found in France, the United States, Canada and even Australia. In the US, the most common states with a population of the Pomeroy name include Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio. The concentration of Pomeroys tends to be highest in certain cities, including Boston, Detroit, and Pittsburgh.

The Pomeroys of Britain have a long and distinguished history, which is often traced back to the Norman invasion itself. This family is known for providing many notable members throughout centuries, such as Sir William Pomeroy who fought for Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Today, in addition to being an old surname of distinction, the name Pomeroy has become associated with a range of fields and occupations. This includes several prominent members in law, medicine, and the military, as well as a variety of modern businesses and organizations.

Variations of the surname Pommeroy

The surname Pommeroy is derived from the Latin word pomarium, which means an orchard or apple store. The surname is believed to have originated in Normandy, France and is found throughout Europe and in the Americas. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include:

Pommeroy, Pomeroy, Pommier, Pommerault, Pommerot, Pomerard, Pommeret, Pommery, Pommair, Pomereau, Pammeroy, Pomerel, Pommerolle.

The variant spelling Pomeroy of English origin is sometimes used interchangeably with the French spelling in America.

The English spelling can also be found in Australia, for instance, in William Pomeroy, who was an early colonial settler in Australia.

In Ireland, the surname is chiefly found in county Mayo and is anglicised as Pommeroy. The Irish surname originated in Norman, France and was brought to Ireland during the 11th century Norman Invasion.

In Scotland, Pomeroy is the anglicised version of the clan Pombie, from the French pomme de terre, which means "ground apple". Clan Pombie came to Scotland around the 12th century and its surname is most prevalent in Lanarkshire.

The origin of German surname Pommerien is unclear. It may be derived from plomer, which means ‘plum orchard’. Alternatively, it may be related to the French name, as indicated in the spelling of the name.

The variant spellings Pommier, Pommerault and Pommerolle are uncommon and believed to be associated with french ancestry.

All of these variants, spellings and surnames are believed to have the same origin, potentially linked to the Latin word pomarium.

Famous people with the name Pommeroy

• Dave Pommeroy: Former professional baseball and football player as well as a college football coach.
• Neal Pommeroy: A British film producer who has mainly worked on short films and projects, but has contributed to critically acclaimed productions like the Harry Potter franchise, The Queen and Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom.
• Justin Pommeroy: A professional rock climber, free soloist, alpinist and instructor.
• Christopher Pommeroy: An American political theorist and professor. He is a professor of law and political science at George Mason University and has written extensively on topics such as free speech, civil liberties, and constitutional law.
• Henry Pommeroy: An American astronaut who flew on three Space Shuttle missions and was the first Navy officer to walk in space.
• Emily Pommeroy: A British actress, best known for her appearances in the films The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Holiday, and The Danish Girl.
• Jean Pommeroy: French actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films.
• Merlin Pommeroy: A British composer and arranger, best known for his work in film scores, such as Nativity and Sparrowfall.
• Richard Pommeroy: A Canadian mountaineer, expedition leader, and author who has led more than 70 expeditions to the highest mountains in the world.
• Virginia Pommeroy: An American falconer and author, best known for her book Falconry for Dummies.

Other surnames

Pommer